Houston: US authorities say five children and three adults have been found dead inside a Texas home following the arrest of a man who exchanged gunfire with police.

Harris County Sheriff spokesman Thomas Gilliland tells KHOU-TV that deputies were called to a home in the Houston area yesterday. He says deputies subsequently received information indicating that a man inside the home was wanted on an aggravated assault warrant.

Gilliland says while waiting for a High Risk Operations Unit, deputies spotted the body of a juvenile through a window. Four deputies forced themselves inside, prompting the 49-year-old suspect to begin shooting.

Deputies pulled back, and the man surrendered about an hour later.

The relationship between the suspect and victims wasn't immediately known.